When to Attach Wings

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Blw2

what would a builder do if they were just on track to park on the ramp? There's certainly a lot that can't really be done at home....
.

There is very little you can’t do at home. You can fit and rig everything. You can even terminate and test all of the wiring except what’s in the wings. With disconnects, you can even do that.

In your climate, there’s nothing stopping you from doing a week of final assembly on the ramp.

[lr172]

Originally Posted by Blw2

this actually brings a side question to mind for me...
knowing that the wait lists around here for hangars are basically forever.....

what would a builder do if they were just on track to park on the ramp? There's certainly a lot that can't really be done at home....

that's big ding to my daydream of a retirement build project in a couple years... hmm, something else to consider. ugh.

I did everything that I could at home. With the 6A, i did final assembly on the ramp in August. Worked out fine. The 10 was ready in November, so had no choice but to rent a hanger.

[Blw2]

so it could be just a week or less then for the final on-airport assembly?
Is that pretty much across the board with all models?
(well I know the 12 has removable wings so that doesn't count!)

I would have thought things like the wing root fairings might involve epoxy and a lot more putzing around

With a completed RV-14 as an example, if the wings were removed for transport how long would it take to re-assemble and be ready for flight?

[Cptnmat]

I waited until the hangar. Only took a couple of hours to final attach (after a test fit at home to trim flaps and close out panels)

https://1drv.ms/v/s!AgWVUWZ6BwZUkJ4g4OTCMaQYBVWhaQ

[Kyle Boatright]

Originally Posted by Blw2

so it could be just a week or less then for the final on-airport assembly?

I would have thought things like the wing root fairings might involve epoxy and a lot more putzing around

With a completed RV-14 as an example, if the wings were removed for transport how long would it take to re-assemble and be ready for flight?

A week or less? Yes, with a helper or two to assist with the heavy lifting. The wing root fairings are aluminum and (assuming you're already fabbed them) will have to be trimmed to final fit, then drilled and dimpled plus installing the nutplates. Probably 2-4 hours per side including the nutplates.

Putting wings back on a completed -14? A weekend. Maybe less if you're organized.

[JohnBruns]

Thank you for all the great info and ideas.

John